Metal container



June 4, 1935. c. HAMMER METAL CONTAINER Filed July 25, 1950 INV ENTOR Mar/a1 Iammer .MMJ

ATTORNEY Patented June 4, 1935 PATENT OFFICE METAL CONTAINER Charles Hammer, .New York, N. Y.,- assignor to Anchor Cap & Closure Corporation, Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 23, 1930, Serial No. 469,944

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to containers and more particularly to metal containers adapted to receive a suitable closure cap.

It is customary to pack shoe polish or similar products in shallow metal containers having a comparatively large diameter. The reason for this is that, in most instances, it is desirable to expose a substantial area of the paste when the cover is removed so that a brush or polishing 10 cloth may be readily applied thereto to remove a small quantity thereof.

The containers or boxes, as they are sometimes called, which are being used at present for this purpose, usually comprise a bottom and a cover portion. The bottom portion comprises a body portion having a sealing zone at the upper edge thereof, which permits the cover to be wedged thereover. Such a seal is not satisfactory and has many disadvantages.

Such seals depend entirely upon the frictional contact between the bottom and cover portions. In many instances, the parts of the tins do not fit properly; consequently, the covers are released accidentally during shipment, thus spoiling the contents of the package and causing damage to other containers. Another disadvantage is that the covers are extremely difficult to remove, often causing the cover to be bent out of shape, thus rendering them unfit to re- 30 seal the container. A further diiiiculty is due to the fact that, once the cover is removed, the ineffectiveness of the reseal may spoil the contents of the package. This is particularly important when the products, such as shoe-black or the like, are preserved in a moist condition by a volatile solvent. If the reseal is not sufficiently air-tight, the solvent will evaporate, thereby causing the product to dry out and rendering it unfit for use. p

The present invention overcomes these difficulties by providing a plurality of threads at the mouth portion of the container which are adapted to engage co-operating lugs on a suitable closure cap. Such a cap is readily removed and provides a very effective reseal, thereby preserving the contents of the package while it is being used.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved container adapted to be used for pack- 5 ing products such as shoe polish and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive container having threads or lugs at the mouth thereof which are adapted to engage a suitable closure cap.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of threads adapted to'be formed integral with the container.'

Another object of the invention is to provide a container for shoe polish or the like, with means adapted to engage a cap adapted to per- 5 mit ready release thereof and to prevent accidental displacement. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a sealed package which is particularly adapted for shoe polish and the like, which can be re- 10 sealed effectively, thereby preventing spoilage of the contents of the package while it is being used.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved threadfor a container which is substantially an involute with respect to the mouth of the container, thereby providingv means for applying a closure cap very securely thereto.

Other and furtherobjects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of the specification, wherein Fig. l is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the container showing a closure cap applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the container; a

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view illustrating the development of the threads of the container;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken 40 along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view along the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view along the line 1-1 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view along the line 8'8 of Fig. 3.

Referring again to I the drawing, there is shown a container, preferably formed of sheet metal such as tin plate and the like, in the 60'. form of a shoe polish box. The container has a bottom I and an upwardly extending side wall or body part 2, provided withsuitable'corrugations 4 to strengthen the side wall thereof and to facilitate manual gripping thereof. Prei- 55 taken taken taken erably, the diameter of the container is several times greater than the height of the side wall, thereby giving the container a shallow appearance. Such a container is particularly applicable for packing polishing ingredients therein. However, the dimensions and shape of the container may be varied to make it adaptable for other uses.

At the upper end of the side wall of the container, a plurality of'threads 5 are provided. These threads are preferably of the interrupted variety and are adapted to receive suitable lugs or threads of a closure cap. The threads .may be formed by stamping out a suitable blank to conform to the contour thereof. The blank is then drawn into the shapeof the container and the upper edges are bent or rolled outwardly and downwardly, as indicated bythe depending portion 5. Preferably, the portion 6 is bent in such a manner that the bend l is substantially rounded, thereby exposing a smooth-surface at the upper part of the container.

,Although the present invention illustrates the use of four threads, any convenient number may be used. The depending portion 6, wherein the threads 5 are formed, is provided with a plurality or" recesses 9 spaced intermediate the threads, and is adapted to facilitate the entrance and'application ofthe engaging means of the 5 cap upon the threads.

The threads 5, shown herein, comprise a substantially inclined edge portion 19, starting at recess 9, and a substantially horizontal portion H which merges with the portion [0. The portion i9 may be inclined a greater amount at its upper. end and gradually decreased as it merges with the horizontal edge IL. By decreasing the inclination of the edge of the thread 6, the sealing pressure is increased with the same turning effort as the sealing position is reached. The horizontal portion llof. the thread receives the cap lugs when the cap is'screwed home and prevents "the cap from backing off the threads during shipment or otherwise. Intermediate the portions 9 and H, a downwardly extending portion i2 is provided, which is adapted to act as aqstop thereby preventing thelugs of the cap from overriding the threads.

.The thread ofv the present invention is particularly adapted to facilitate the application of a closure cap having a cover portion l4 and a depending skirt l5, terminating in a beaded wire edge IS. A plurality of lugs or inwardly extending projections ii are formed by striking inwardly the wire edge ltat intervals about its periphery to form thread-engaging lugs. .The cap may be provided with a gasket or sealing disc l9 to effect a proper seal at the lip I of the container. I

To further increase the efiectiveness of the threads, the bent down portion 6 is tapered substantially to the vertical plane so that the inclined portions ii! and If extend radially outwardly at a greater distance as they approach 1 the stop I2, which extends further outward. Re-

ferring to Fig. 2, it will be noted that the lower edges of the portions 10, Hand l2 are substantially involutely disposed to the lip I of the container. The vertical angle at which the thread portions are disposed to the container is shown intFigs. 4 to 8 as substantially constant throughout the circumference of the container, but may be increased slightly from the tail IU of the threadto' the stop portion l2 to effect a more secure seal.

The lugs ll of the cap illustrated in the present invention are slightly inclined radially inwardly. In order that they engage the threads of the container properly, the lower edges of the threads meet the lugs substantially at right angles. This prevents the lugs from slipping off the threads while the cap is being applied to the container.

A further advantageous result is obtained by inclining the threads and the lugs so that they meet at substantially right angles but are angularly disposed to the vertical plane. When the lugs l'l engage the lower edge 10 of the thread and the cap is further rotated, the lugs slide along the edge II and draw the cap down gradually. It will be noted that the resultant force tending to draw the cap downwardly is not in the vertical plane but is directed slightly inwardly so that it is substantially the same as the thread portions 8. This result is accomplished by inclining the threads in both the horizontal and vertical planes so that the lugs project thereagainst to be drawn downwardly and outwardly simultaneously. In this manner the tendency to crush the threads is minimized. The container and the threads formed integral therewith may thus be made of a thinner grade of metal to provide a substantially strong construction and to effect a saving in the cost of manufacturing the container.

The shape of the thread portions 6 is such that the contact of the crown part of the thread with the cover part of the cap is a substantial distance from the periphery of the cap. This increases the flexibility of the cap and permits it to accommodate a greater range of irregularities in the container. The cover part of the cap is substantially a lever with its fulcrum at the rim of the container. The sealing pressure is applied to the end of the lever, that is, the periphery of the cap. As the fulcrum is moved inward, the effectiveness of the sealing pressure is increased; In the preferred embodiment, the

lower edge of the thread is substantially an involute with respect to the rim of the container, thereby increasing the leverage of the sealing pressure asthe cap is screwed further on the thread. This also permits a greater amount of bending in the cover part of the cap to take up variations and irregularities.

It will be seen that the present invention provides a container, particularly adapted to be used for polishes and the like. The threads are formed integral with the container and permit the application of metal closure caps. Such caps are comparatively inexpensive and enhance the appearance of the package. The threads or the container and the cap co-operate to form an effective seal which can be readily released with slight manual effort. The caps are adapted to be rescaled ,to the container so that the remaining contents within the package will not spoil and can be subsequently dispensed. The package is rugged in construction and is fully capable of withstanding the rough usage to which it may be subjected.

While the above description refers more par-- ticularly to shoe polish containerspit is clear that the invention has other applications which are intended to be covered in the appended claims. As various other changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein without departing from the scope of the invention and without sacrificing its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be'interpreted as illustrative andnot in a limiting sense. a

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. As an article of manufacture, a one-piece container stamped from sheet metal comprising the combination of a bottom, an annular side wall extending upwardly therefrom, an annular zone of said side wall being offset inwardly to reduce the diameter thereof and to increase the flexibility of the sealing zone in a vertical direction, the portion of the side wall above said inwardly set zone being turned outwardly and downwardly to form a rounded sealing zone and an outwardly flared depending flange lying within the boundary of the normal portion of the side .wall, said flange having closure engaging means to engage and hold a closure on the container with the cover portion thereof vagainst said sealing zone.

2. As an article of manufacture, a one-piece shoe polish box stamped from sheet metal comprising the combination of a bottom, an annular side wall extending upwardly from said bottom, the lower part of said annular side wall being corrugated, an annular zone of said side wall above said corrugations being offset inwardly to reduce the diameter thereof and to permit a lug sealing cap to flt snugly thereon with the lower edge substantially in contact with the normal portion of the annular side wall of the container, the portion of the side wall above said inwardly set zone being turned outwardly and downwardly to form a rounded upper edge and an outwardly flared depending flange lying within the boundary of the normal portion of said side wall, the lower edge of said flange being cut to provide an inclined surface adapted to engage and draw a closure down on the container.

3. As an article of manufacture, a one-piece container stamped from sheet metal comprising the combination of a bottom, an annular side wall, an annular zone of said side wall being offset inwardly to reduce the diameter thereof and to cause the sealing edge to engage the cover of the cap at a maximum distance from the flange thereof to increase the resiliency of the seal, a portion of the side wall above said inwardly set zone being turned outwardly and downwardly to form a rounded upper sealing edge and an outwardly flared depending flange lying within the boundary of the normal portion of the side wall to permit the cap to fit snugly the side of the container, the lower edge of said flange being cut to form an inclined part, a horizontal part and a substantially vertical part at the end of said horizontal part adapted to engage a closure and hold the cover part thereof against the upper edge of the container.

4. As an article of manufacture, a one-piece shoe polish box stamped from sheet metal comprising the combination of a bottom, an annular side wall extending upwardly from said bottom, the lower part of said side Wall being corrugated, an annular zone of said side wall above said corrugations being curved inwardly to reduce the diameter thereof to permit a snug flt between the lower part of the cap and side of the container and to increase the resilience of the upper edge of the container in a vertical direction, the portion of the side wall above said inwardly set zone being curved outwardly and downwardly to form a rounded upper sealing edge depending outwardly flared flange lying within the boundary of the normal portion of the side wall, thelower'edge of saidflange be-; ing cut to form a slotted portion adapted to permit the lugs of a closure capto pass over the end of the containerzto engage the lower side of the flange, saidv flange being also cut to form inclined parts leading to said slots for drawing the closure downwardly and for spring-: ing the sealing edge inwardly and downwardly, horizontal parts merging with said inclined parts and vertical stopportions' at the ends of said horizontal portions to stop therotation ofthe closure. I a 1 5. A container formed from a singlepiece ofsheet metal having an annular rim and cap engaging means formed integral therewith from an outwardly flared depending flange, the lower edge of said depending. flangehaving an'inclined part, a horizontal part and a stop part adjacent the tail end of said horizontal part, said cap engaging means being set inwardly beyond the body of the container therebelow to permit the lower edge of the cap substantially to meet the body of the container and minimize the space therebetween to prevent entrance of insects and accumulation of objectionable matter under the skirt of the cap, and corrugations below said cap engaging means to facilitate formation of the cap engaging means and to facilitate application and removal of a closure cap.

6. A sealed package comprising the combination of a one-piece container stamped from sheet metal having a bottom, an upstanding annular side wall with an annular zone of said side wall set inwardly to reduce the diameter thereof, the portion of the side wall above said inwardly set zone being turned outwardly and downwardly to form a rounded upper edge and a. depending flange lying within the boundary of the normal portion of the side wall, said flange having its lower edge out to provide closure engaging means to engage and hold a closure on the container, and a screw closure cap sealed to said container having a cover portion and a. depending skirt with a rolled edge on the bottom of said skirt, said rolled edge being struck inwardly at intervals to form locking lugs adapted to engage the lower edge of the flange on the container to seal the cap to the container, the bottom of the cap fitting snugly about the upper part of the normal body portion of the container to prevent accumulation of objectionable matter under the skirt of the cap.

7. As an article of manufacture, a sealed package comprising the combination of a onepiece shoe polish box stamped from sheet metal having a bottom, an annular side wall extending upwardly from said bottom, the lower part of said annular side wall being corrugated, an annular zone of said side wall above said corrugations being set inwardly to reduce the diameter thereof and to increase the resiliency of the upper sealing edge, the portion of the side wall above said inwardly set zone being turned outwardly and downwardly to form a rounded sealin'g edge and a depending flange lying within the boundary of the normal portion of the side wall, the lower edge of said flange being cut to form slotted portions, inclined portions leading to said slots, horizontal portions merging with said inclined portions and vertical stop portions at the ends of the horizontal portions, and a screw closure cap sealed to said container having a cover portion, a depending skirt with a rolled edge at the bottom thereof, said rolled edge being struck inwardly at intervals to form relatively short lugs, said lugs being adapted to register withzsaid slotted portions to pass. over the cap flange of the containerland to be rotated to engage the inclined part of the flange to draw the closure down on the container to seal it thereto and simultaneously force the sealing edge inwardly and downwardly, and a sealing liner in the cover part of the cap adapted to form a seal on the rim of the container.

8. In a sealed package, the combination of a container stamped from a single piece of sheet metal having a bottom and an upstanding side wall, the lower part of said side wall being corrugated, the upper part of said side wall being set inwardly to reduce the diameter thereof and to'permit the sealing edge to be forced downwardly'more readily under the sealing pressure and the upper edge of said side wall being bent outwardly and downwardly to form a sealing edge and 2. depending flange, the lower. edge of. said flange being cut to form an inclined zone for engagement with the closure cap, and a screw closure cap having a cover portion and a depending corrugated flange, the lower edge of said flange being rolled outwardly into a bead and struck inwardly at intervals to provide locking lugs, the diameter of said flange being substantially the same as the diameter of the side wall of the container, whereby when the cap is screwed onto the container, the flange of the cap forms substantially a continuation of the side wall of the container and substantially engages the upper zone of the normal part thereof to prevent accumulation of objectionable matter under the skirt of the cap.

CHARLES HAMMER. 

